Past Imperfect by Crystal Green

Author:Crystal Green
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2005-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ian watched Rachel at the table while she lauded Gilbert in front of the board.

He couldn’t restrain a surge of pride. Who knew that she would come off so well? Not only was she sweet and upbeat—two qualities that had immediately won over the audience, Ian noted—but she was confident in answering the president’s introductory questions.

Sure, Ian was trying to tamp down all the feelings she’d stirred up during the break, because that’s what a reporter should do—take unbiased stock of a situation and be fair in the telling.

But how could he distance himself now?

Ian was more involved with his subject than he’d like to admit, and that pricked at him.

He’d definitely lost his edge.

Still, he wasn’t regretting it. No way. He was a seasoned professional who could do his job no matter the circumstances, and he would do just that, dammit.

In spite of any attraction blazing between them.

As Rachel kept charming her way through her testimonial, Ian thought she had it in the bag, just like Cassidy during her own time in front of the board.

But then it happened.

President Broadstreet was smiling at Rachel’s latest comment. Yet the tight gesture struck Ian as false, and it raised his hackles.

Broadstreet had something up his sleeve, didn’t he?

This was anything but a surprise, since Cassidy Maxwell had gotten the better of him earlier. But Rachel could handle it. Ian was as sure about that as the day was long.

“Now we come to the part,” the president said, “where my confusion takes over, Ms. James. You see, I’ve paid very careful attention to your records.”

Ian paused in his note-taking, recalling what Rachel had told him last night. Bad grades. Financial aid.

Could this have anything to do with the mysterious benefactor who had been helping everyone else in her group, too?

At Broadstreet’s comment, Rachel had flinched ever so slightly, as if the president had reached over and pinched her. Yet she still kept her wits about her.

Don’t lose it, Rachel, Ian thought. You can run circles around him.

“It seems,” Broadstreet continued, “that you had quite a financial-aid package, Ms. James. Far beyond what most students have access to at Saunders. And I’m also wondering about these grades…. Like your friend David Westport, your grades don’t reflect the type of student this university welcomes.”

Bastard.

Again, Rachel’s interview rang in Ian’s ears. My adoptive parents sometimes told me I was dumb….

While she recovered from Broadstreet’s low blow, Gilbert looked on. The professor seemed ready to jump out of his chair to defend her.

Ian paid closer attention. It wasn’t that Gilbert hadn’t been concerned about his other students, but there was something off here. The otherwise easygoing professor was showing a little more anger than he’d exhibited during previous testimonials, a little more panic.

Rachel was his favorite student, Ian reminded himself. And he’s not hiding it.

So why was Gilbert’s reaction niggling at him?

“I was surprised by Saunders’ response, as well,” Rachel said calmly. “But I figured they wanted me to fulfill an affirmative-action quota.”

“Not quite.” Broadstreet lavished a superior smile on her.

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